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Local News for Tuesday 19th September 2017

Bid to bring back forestsClimate change and hardy survivors of the islands could be the key to bringing back forests to the Western Isles. A new project headed by Horshader Community Development Trust is looking to save seed from surviving native trees and to plant them as part of a project called Hebridean Ark. David Mackay of the trust, who’s been planting trees himself for over 25 years, says deforestation started with the Vikings chopping down trees, and was also spread by the need of the population for space to grow crops. But now, he says: "We're trying to bring back trees that have always been here, they're part of the Hebrides. The genetics of these trees have a timeline going back 2,000 years on the islands - they're hardy, like the people here." Species which could re-establish include rowan, birch and juniper, all of which have surviving examples in isolated spots around the islands.

Local News for Monday 18th September 2017

No wolves in Lewis – officialWildlife rescue workers have responded angrily to a report of wolves in the Castle grounds, which they described as ‘sensational and reckless’. The Western Isles co-ordinator of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, David Yardley, used Facebook to slam the Sun newspaper’s report of ‘wolves howling’ in an area described as ‘forest’ opposite Stornoway. A Stornoway Hotel manager had reported the eerie sounds and went to the press with his story, although numerous local sources confirmed the sounds as seals calling in the harbour. David Yardley said: “We confirmed the sounds as grey seals and made this clear to him. We've notified the coastguard and the grounds keeper in the past as to what they were, after receiving a number of calls to an animal in distress. These actions cause confusion among the public that we as BDMLR are required to respond to. The day we don't respond could be the day someone loses a pet. “

Local News for Friday 15th September 2017

Body recovered is missing touristA body recovered in the Valtos area, while emergency services were searching for a missing tourist last month, has been confirmed as that of German national Torsten Kulke. Police said that there were no suspicious circumstances and that a report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. The 48-year-old was reported missing from his home in Germany on Monday, July 31st , having travelled to the Western Isles. His body was discovered on Saturday, August 12th following extensive searches which involved coastguard volunteers and other emergency services over several days. Inspector Jane Nicolson of Stornoway police said: "Our thoughts remain with Mr Kulke's family and friends at this very sad time. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the public who assisted with information, as well as the various partner agencies who helped with the search activity."

Local News for Thursday 14th September 2017

RNLI fundraiser cycles the islesTobermory RNLI crew member Rose Skelton is to swap Mull for the Western Isles over the next week, as she sets out to cycle from the Butt to Barra to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Rose has followed in her grandfather’s footsteps as an RNLI volunteer, and hopes to call into the three Western Isles’ RNLI stations along her route – starting at Stornoway RNLI on Saturday to cycle to the Butt at Ness and back, before heading south on Sunday to call at Leverburgh RNLI station along the way, and arrive at Barra RNLI on Wednesday or Thursday of next week. She said: “This is a ride I have always wanted to do, but have never been much of a hill cyclist (there are some steep hills!), nor have I ever cycle-toured alone. I will carry my tent and food with me on my bike, and sleep wherever I end up!”

Local News for Wednesday 13th September 2017

Harris contract brings Gaelforce homeA firm which grew from a one-man operation in Stornoway is to return to the Western Isles with an installation contract at Tarbert Marina this month. Inverness-based Gael Force Engineering will be installing their unique floating concrete breakwater at the new marina development in Tarbert, nearly 25 years after the firm was founded by MD Stewart Graham in Stornoway. Two SeaHaven breakwaters have been manufactured for the installation, together with 100 metres of pontoons, designed to last 30 years in all sea conditions. Gael Force was founded in 1983 as a maker of fishing creels and pots, and now has bases in Inverness, Forres, Stornoway, Glasgow, and Plymouth, from where they supply customers all over the world.

Bring Crown Estate to islands – MSPThe Crown Estate should be moved out of Edinburgh and relocated to one of the Scottish islands, according to Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart. Mr Stewart wants the Scottish Government to decentralise the organisation and move it to one of the Scottish islands. He said: “This Government is known for its centralising policies so it would be a bold move if it promised to relocate jobs to one of our islands. I know that the Orkney Islands are already keen on the idea of there being a base there and no doubt the Western Isles and Shetland would also welcome the relocation of such jobs and services. As the organisation deals with so much foreshore it would seem like a logical move.”